Chapter 16 - Diagon Alley

Note: Hi, sorry it has been a while since uploading, I have been unsure on the direction of this story, please rate and review.

Monday morning brought hustle and bustle to number 12 Grimmauld place, everyone was up early getting ready for their trip to Diagon Alley. Even Ron had appeared at the breakfast table on time, sat with his chest puffed out and his polished prefect badge shining, pinned to his Hogwarts robes. Harry rolled his eyes as he sipped his hot tea, he wasn't jealous exactly, but he had a feeling that the happenings of the summer had influenced Dumbledores decision as if the old man didn't trust him anymore.

At nine o'clock with the dishes cleaned up and everyone sporting a cloak or robes everyone made their way down to the room where the floo network was connected. Harrys insides gave a squirm, this was the first time he had been back into the wizarding world after his trial and was anxious about what people were going to say about him, or stare at him, or make him all uncomfortable. Ginny, who was standing next to Harry placed her hand on his as if she could sense his tension.

"Right, Sirius, Remus, Ginny, Harry in one group, Bill, Fred and George, you are another group, Ron and Hermione, you are with myself and Arthur. Do not split from your groups, if you wish to go in somewhere please tell your respective adults. We will meet back at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch, DO NOT go down Knockturn Alley, Fred, George. Understood" explained Mrs Weasley.

"Yes Mrs Weasley" everyone replied in unison. Then one by one they each took and handful of floo powder and sail loudly and clearly 'Diagon Alley'. Once it was Harrys turn he made sure to drop it and speak clearly, remembering his adventure in his second year coming out in Knockturn Alley, he span faster and faster, tucking his elbows in and keeping his crutches at his centre of gravity, when he started to decelerate, he prepared himself to step out of the fireplace. However, as usual having only one functioning leg made this very difficult and was once again steadied by Remus.

Once all four of them were in the Leaky Cauldron and dusted down they proceeded to the alley. Mr Weasley had kindly gone after work to pick up some money from everybody's Gringotts Vaults a couple days previous so they could all avoid the big queue that had formed outside the bank. Harry noticed many eyes were staring at him, looking him up and down, he tried to ignore them and held his head high, he needed to keep his head from crashing while they were in public.

"Where shall we go first, what do you guys need?" asked Remus as they walked slowly down the street.

"Mum said I need new robes as well as new books and a potions refill." replied Ginny, Harry nodded in agreement, he needed those things too.

"Okay, lets start off with robes then, I know someone else who desperately needs some too" announced Sirius, bumping into Remus on purpose.

"You are not getting me new robes, the ones I have are perfectly fine" replied Remus

"Lies!" called Sirius, making Harry and Ginny laugh. "They are not fine Moony, and if you refuse to allow me to get you some new ones, I will personally make sure they are bright pink and orange"

"Fine" Remus conceded, as they joined the queue for the robe shop. Harry looked around, people were still staring at him. There was no need of it, he tried to ignore it but he was becoming more and more anxious, he could feel his heart pounding inside his chest. Ginny instinctively placed her hand on Harrys discretely helping him calm and breathe. He didn't know what it was about the young Weasley, but she made him feel safe and not alone when these things happen.

When the four of them were at the front of the queue they were called forward, the two marauders into one room and Ginny and Harry into another. Like before the witch pinned robes to their size and quickly waved her wand to ensure they were correct. Harry was glad they wore robes to school, he couldn't imagine having to try on school trousers and everything else like the muggles had to. Ginny took a little longer because the witch insisted on shortening her sleeves too much for the Gryffindors liking and kept being scowled at. Eventually she gave in and listened to Ginny. Once they were finished they waited for Remus and Sirius to finish before Sirius handed over the galleons, stickles and knuts to the witch over the desk.

Harry wasn't used to having things being paid for, his mother and father had left him a small fortune and he had been using that. As soon as they exited the shop Harry offered to repay him, but Sirius insisted it was his duty as a Godfather to provide for him and this is what was supposed to be happening before.

Next the four went into Flourish and Blotts where they found their new schoolbooks easily, Harry saw another book he was interested in next to one of his school books and started to read the contents, he was about to put it back when Sirius came and took it off him and paid the witch at the desk once more. Harry couldn't stop muttering his thanks as they walked down the street, he was starting to get very sore and tired but fought through it as he didn't want to be the reason the entire party had to return early. Their final stop was at the potions store where Harry and Ginny refilled their ingredients.

They four then returned to the Leaky cauldron, where they were the first to return. So they sat down at a table, Tom provided Harry with a stool to place his leg up and served them all butterbeer. The warm suds filled Harry with good memories of him, Ron and Hermione down the Three Broomsticks, his eyes drooped as he drank, exhausted from the trip. Ginny allowed Harry to lean on her shoulder as she drew patterns on the palm of his hand, as she did so Harry started to imagine him alone in the Three Broomsticks with just Ginny, it would feel good he thought as he sighed, relaxing.

Ginny excused herself to the bathroom after half an hour, Harry wondered where the rest of their party was, he hoped they hadn't got into any trouble while they were out in the Alley. Harry was thrown from his thoughts when Sirius started to tease him.

"When are you going to ask her out?" he asked with a grin from ear to ear,

"Shes Ron's sister, I don't think he would be happy"

"Forget about Ron, she is obviously very comfortable in your presence, and you in hers."

"Yeah but…" Harry started

"Yeah but what? If Ginny makes you happy, ask her out. It is Ron's problem if he doesn't like it. I know you won't do anything to hurt her, let yourself have something for you, for once Pup"

"Padfoot is right Harry, you always put others first, its time you do something to help you be happier." interrupted Remus. Harry internally screamed, he knew he didn't deserve her kindness, love and care. He felt guilty for feeling so good around her, for wanting to kiss her and make sure she would always be okay. He wanted to hug her and be around her, the nights in the living room with her could be the only time he felt like he had his head above water, she calmed him and knew how to help. He wanted to protect her with his life, if anything happened to her, if he put her in danger he didn't know what to do.

Harry was thrown out of his dark thoughts by Remus talking again "We can tell you aren't okay Harry. We have seen you struggle to eat, struggle to sleep, we have heard your nightmares and can see the darkness that is overwhelming you right now. It is okay to feel like this and I am not going to push you into talking to me, neither is Sirius but if Ginny helps and listens take her up on it. I can see they good effect she has on you Cub. Ron will come around once he sees you treating her with the respect you do."

"I am okay" replied Harry trying to convince the two that he was, but he could tell that the two had practiced this conversation already and was prepared for his resistance and denial.

"No you aren't Pup, I can see it in your eyes, you aren't okay. Harry, we know what it is like to battle with thoughts inside our heads everyday, we know its loud, and makes you think things that are untrue. Please know its okay, and we are here to support you through it, we are here to listen whenever you are ready" said Sirius. Remus nodded in sync with him.

"You don't need to pretend around us Cub, you be you, and its okay to feel however you want to. You have been through so much and put under so much pressure as a young man, we get it, its not all sunshine and roses, its hard and it hurts. You aren't alone, you don't have to bottle it up inside"

Harry nodded, a tear escaping his eye, he didn't mean to cry but it had all been too much and he didn't know where the emotion was coming from. He didn't notice Ginny retaking her seat and looking at him with concern before guiding his head onto her shoulder.

"It's okay Harry, I know you are struggling right now, but this won't last forever. You don't need to do this alone anymore; I am here to help too" whispered Ginny as she embraced him gently rubbing her hand on his back. Remus and Sirius took this as a queue to go up to the bar and order more drinks and so left the pair alone.

Ginny held Harry until he had no more tears left to cry, he had exhausted himself with the number of emotions he was experiencing, yet he felt comfortable in her arms. For the first time in a long time the dark cloud that consumed him lifted slightly without the use of his tools, he could quite easily sit here forever. However, the marauders were making their way back to their table, so Ginny wiped the tears from his eyes and Harry sat up once again.

"So has he done it yet?" asked Sirius mischievously to Ginny. Remus rolled his eyes as he retook his seat.

"Done what?" asked Ginny curiously.

"Asked you something" Sirius smirked watching Harry's cheeks blossom into the colour of a magenta rose. Remus put his head in his hands to stop himself from laughing.

"Ask me what?" asked Ginny, she turned to Harry to see his magenta cheeks and fired "Harry James Potter, are you going to tell me or not?"

"Uh, ah" mumbled Harry, his insides squirmed uncomfortably, he knew exactly what he wanted to ask but the words weret coming to him, this type of anxiety was good anxiety , it was nice to have a break from all the negative anxiety he had been experiencing. Harry took a deep breath, trying to ignore the stares from Sirius and Remus, looking down into his lap he spoke "Gin, you mean the world to me, I feel safe and happy and amazing around you, I want to keep you safe and for you to be mine to protect. Ugh, I just need to say it. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Harry regretted his words as soon as the left his lips, the panic and anxiety that had been building up overflowed and he tried to catch his now quickening breaths. He saw two gentle hands grab his from upon his lap and gently held them, squeezing them comfortingly.

"Oh Harry, of course I will"

"Really? you really want me?" asked Harry. He wasn't used to being wanted, to having people who cared, all his life everyone he had known never wanted him, his Aunt and Uncle only cared about Dudley, Dumbledore only wanted him because he was the chosen one.

"Harry, you are always wanted here and especially by me, I wouldn't want anyone else"

"What about Ron?" Harry asked, his anxiety overruling his head now, scared about what his best friend would thing, he would kill him.

"What about him?" asked Ginny "he does not control me Harry, I want this, and if he has a problem, he can deal with the both of us and probably my mother" replied Ginny. Harry laughed at the comment of Mrs Weasley which eased the tension as Remus and Sirius both sniggered too.

Harry smiled genuinely for the first time in ages, something was finally going his way, Sirius was free, he had Ginny as his girlfriend, and he wasn't going back to the Dursleys. The heavy cloud that plagued him lifted at these thoughts, it may only be temporary, but he was going to enjoy it while he could, even if it was only going to be for a couple of moments.

It was still another hour before the remainder of the Weasley clan joined the four in the Leakey Cauldron. Mrs Weasley looked stressed, he cheeks were red and she had that stern look on her dace like she did when Harry first came to the Burrow in the flying car. Mr Weasley was happier, he seemed to be quizzing Hermione on the muggle household appliances, with Hermione replying kindly to his questions and Ron rolling his eyes taking a seat next to Harry.

"He has not shut up! How many appliances do you muggles have!" he exclaimed slamming his hands on the table.

"Honestly Ronald, you need to have more patience, just because you aren't interested doesn't mean others aren't" exclaimed Hermione taking the seat next to Ron. The twins sat opposite the pair and Mr and Mrs Weasley sat the other side of Ginny so they could talk to the Marauders. Bill took the seat on the edge of the long table and called Tom over so everyone could order drinks and food.

Harry sat debating how to tell his best friend he was now dating his sister, his mind challenged him, he just needed to come out with it, get it over and down wit, he knew if he thought about it too long he would no longer feel hungry enough to make a good go at the food. After they had ordered food Harry looked at Ginny who gave a nod to say she was ready to tell everyone too.

"Uh Ginny and I have something to tell you all" announced Harry to the table, all eyes were now on them, Ginny took his hand and squeezed it comfortingly "We would like to tell you, that we are going out"

"About time" yelled Fred and George enthusiastically

"Congratulations!" Hermione beamed.

"Oh wonderful!" exclaimed Mrs Weasley "We are so happy for both of you! Come on everyone, a toast to Harry and Ginny" she called excitedly to the table.

Everyone raised their glasses and muttered "To Ginny and Harry", Harry blushed, Ginny beamed happily. Both noticed Ron wasn't overly pleased, but he didn't say anything either, so they accepted it as a win. Harry was secretly anxious, he knew Ron well enough that he wasn't finished with this issue, he tried to not let his thoughts overwhelm him, so he concentrated on Ginny, the way she comforted him and the way she was able to just be herself around him. He could do this, one meal, one day where everything was going to be okay and for him to just be, that's all he could hope for.